Mastiff Starved, Dumped; $5K Reward Offered in Case

UPPER MARLBORO, MD — A starved and broken mastiff, given the hopeful name of Violet by her rescuers, is fighting to survive, while animal authorities look for the abused dog’s owner.

Violet was a walking bag of bones when she was found Feb. 8 wandering along a Clinton road, say authorities. The 7-year-old dog was picked up by Prince George’s Animal Control officers, treated by a veterinarian, and is now staying with a foster owner helping the animal to regain weight and strength.

When she was found, Violet weighed 56 pounds; the ideal weight for the giant breed is 150 pounds. A reward is being offered to help find whoever mistreated the animal.

Mastiffs were the type of dogs used in movies including “Turner and Hooch” and “The Sandlot.”

Chief Rodney Taylor of the county’s Animal Services division told Patch that Violet’s owner – still unknown – neglected her and then likely dumped her.

“Certainly she’s been mistreated, she looks to be a starvation case,” Taylor said.

See the Saving Violet Facebook page for photos and video of the healing dog

The biggest concern for Violet’s recovery is her weight. She also had some broken teeth, wounds on her body, and one paw had a fractured bone.

The Humane Society of the United States is offering a reward of up to $5,000 for information leading to the identification, arrest and conviction of the person responsible for ­­­­­­­­­­­­­­starving Violet.

Mutts Matter Rescue has placed Violet with a foster family until she is healthy enough to be adopted, says the Humane Society. Donate to support her care.

Emily Hovermale, Maryland state director for the Humane Society, said: “It is unimaginably callous to cruelly starve and abandon an innocent dog in this way. We are hopeful this reward will bring forward anyone with information about this heinous crime.”

The county shelter will always take in animals, Taylor said, if someone is unable to keep a pet. He encourages residents to check with family members or co-workers to find a new home for a pet before surrendering them, but the facility “would never turn you away.”

Pet owners need to act rather than abandoning an animal.

“If you bring a dog in looking like that we’re going to have a conversation,” Taylor said.

Criminal charges of felony animal cruelty may be filed against the dog’s owner when found, he said, which carries a $3,000 fine and five years in prison.

Prince George’s County’s Animal Management Division is investigating the case. Anyone with information about Violet’s owner is asked to call 301-780-7241.

FEEDING VIOLET FUND: Doggie Delights in Haymarket, VA, has set up a fund for Violet’s supporters to contribute to her food supply. She is on a special diet of high calorie and highly nutritious foods and supplements. Doggie Delights will give a 10 percent discount on all purchases toward Violet’s care. The store number is 703-753-5255 if you want to call and donate by credit card.

»Photos of Violet courtesy of Prince George’s Animal Control; screenshot from the Saving Violet Facebook page